Pilates

Pilates is a type of exercise developed by Joseph Pilates close to 100 years ago to enrich and rehabilitate the entire body from inside out. Pilates is a total body exercise system utilizing multiple muscle groups simultaneously, creating a symmetrical workout that integrates the upper and lower body with the core. The result is a balanced, strong, lean, and flexible body less prone to injury. There are more than 500 separate Pilates exercises and modifications that can be combined in different ways, guaranteeing that no two workouts are the same. It is your personal goals, limitations, flexibility and general fitness level that determine which of these exercises will bring you the most benefit.

What We Offer

All of Stability’s private and duet sessions are 55 minutes, as are the small equipment classes; group mat classes are 50 minutes each.

Private Pilates SessionA private session provides hands on, individual training with the therapist or instructor. Clients will use Pilates equipment and also incorporate mat work into each session. Private sessions are strongly recommended for beginners, as well as for anyone with an injury and those looking for an intensive one-on-one experience.

Duet Pilates SessionIn a duet session, the instructor works with two clients at one time. Clients will use Pilates equipment and will also incorporate mat work into each session. Clients provide their own duet partner.

Group Equipment Classes
This is a small 4 person class utilizing the Reformer and Tower. Each class is 55 minutes in length. Prior to taking these classes, you are required to attend a private session in order to evaluate your fitness level and establish your individual Reformer settings.

Mat Classes
Mat classes have traditionally been and continue to be the foundation of the Pilates Method. These are group classes where students use their body to create resistance; they are challenging and provide a great Pilates workout.

Beginner Mat Class – This class will introduce students to Pilates mat work and the essential exercises. We recommend these classes for students who are new to Pilates.

Beginner/Intermediate Mat Class – This class is a step above the beginner level. It moves at a faster tempo and has a larger Pilates repertoire. Students must take beginner mat class prior to joining this class.

Intermediate Mat Class – This class is a challenging and fun way to increase your strength and stamina. It incorporates the full intermediate Pilates repertoire and moves at a fast pace with challenging extras. Students must be familiar with the essential exercises to attend.

Advanced Mat Class – This class is for experienced Pilates students. Multiple pieces of equipment are used as is the full mat repertoire. Participants should get approval from instructor before enrolling in this demanding class.

Equipment

Reformer
The Reformer is the main piece of equipment used in Pilates exercise. The Reformer glides forward and backward on rollers. It uses springs for resistance, along with other attachments, for a wide variety of exercises and positions (i.e. lying down, seated, and standing).

Cadillac
The Cadillac, surrounded by a metal frame, includes a push-thru bar, trapeze bar, leg springs, arm springs, roll down bar, and multiple straps. This apparatus is designed to encourage the body to move more efficiently and more fluidly.

Stability Chair™
The Stability Chair originally was designed to provide a dual function as both exercise equipment and a piece of furniture. Although simple in design, the Stability Chair is the most difficult piece of equipment to master because many of the exercises that utilize it require the participant to lift his or her own body weight. This piece of equipment also has handles that provide assistance in standing on the chair and with balance.

Ladder Barrel
The rungs on the Ladder Barrel simulate a ballet bar and accommodate varying strengths and degrees of flexibility. The Ladder Barrel is designed for core conditioning and stretching.

Getting Started

At your first appointment, please arrive 10-15 minutes early to fill out paperwork and get an orientation of the facility prior to beginning your appointment. You may also find the paperwork available to download here. We suggest that you wear comfortable workout type clothing and require that you wear socks during your session for hygiene purposes. While we do have filtered water available, you may want to bring your own water bottle.

Pilates and Rehab

With the aging of our population and the increasing trend toward thoughtful, moderate health practices, Pilates has long been recognized as a rehabilitation tool. Today an increasing number of health practitioners have discovered and are recommending Pilates and using Pilates exercises as an approach in rehabilitation. Pilates can be integrated into any rehab phase, from the most acute to advanced sport-specific training.

The Pilates principles of core stabilization address posture, breathing, muscle performance and motor control. Pilates sessions break down faulty movement patterns, and enable the practitioner to work on new movement strategies. By successfully evaluating the clients’ needs, the instructors and therapists at Stability can design specific exercises for the individual that will result in improvement.

At Stability, only the most qualified Pilates instructors teach the following populations:

Pilates for Men

Many men still consider Pilates to be a workout for women, but Joseph Pilates, the founder of this system, designed the exercises for his peers. Both men and women can reap the benefits of Pilates as they build core strength and flexibility. The emphasis of Pilates is on correcting the imbalance of musculature in our bodies, which leads to the prevention of injury. Thus, Pilates works the underlying muscles that support movement and brings decided performance improvement, something desired by all.

History

During World War One, Joseph Pilates was interned with other German nationals as a prisoner of war. During his time as a POW, he spent his time investigating ways that he could help rehabilitate the bed-ridden victims of the 1918 influenza pandemic. He created a series of movements that could be performed within the confines of the controlled hospital environment. In fact, the Reformer, an apparatus Joseph Pilates created and still used today, is based on an old hospital bed.